Parkinson's with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer

Posted by safari1949 @safari1949, Nov 24, 2019

I have been on Lupron for 2 weeks. Because it has metastasized to 4 places in my body they also want to start either Zytiga or Docetaxel to knock back the existing cancer cells. We are concerned about the Prednisone long term effect as well. Should any of this negatively impact my Parkinson's and which one the least impact?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 24, 2019

@safari1949 that is a very specific question that perhaps only your oncologist in collaboration with your neurologist can answer. I have added this message to the Parkinson's group as well in case someone there has experience with both conditions. (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/)
You could also talk to your pharmacist about this. They know so much about drug interactions.

Is your oncologist aware of your Parkinson's? Do you take any medication for Parkinson's?

safari1949 | @safari1949 | Nov 24, 2019

Yes my oncologist has talked to my neurologist. I only take Rasagiline for the pD. I will definitely talk to my pharmacist tomorrow. My wife and I had talked about that earlier today.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 25, 2019

In reply to @safari1949 "Yes my oncologist has talked to my neurologist. I only take Rasagiline for the pD. I..." + (show)

I'd be interested to hear what you find out if you don't mind posting it.

safari1949 | @safari1949 | Nov 25, 2019

According to our pharmacist there is no problem interaction between the Zytiga and the Azilect (Rasagiline). Good to know.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 27, 2019

In reply to @safari1949 "According to our pharmacist there is no problem interaction between the Zytiga and the Azilect (Rasagiline)...." + (show)

Hi @safari1949, I'm so glad that you checked with your pharmacist. It is reassuring to know that there are no interaction issues with the drugs you're on for 2 different conditions. Pharmacists are a wealth of knowledge and readily available to answer such questions as part of your health care team.

I also was curious and asked your question to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She offered this additional information.
"Corticosteroids provide effective treatment for such a diverse array of conditions. As you know side effects depend on the dose, duration and route and of course vary by individual as well. Over a long steroid course patients could see high blood sugar, osteoporosis, infections and slowed wound healing.

Some information suggests that medications that suppress the immune system like prednisone may actually protect against Parkinson’s disease but more study is needed. See this article by Washington University School of Medicine
- Drugs that suppress immune system may protect against Parkinson’s https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/drugs-that-suppress-immune-system-may-protect-against-parkinsons/

dailyeffort | @dailyeffort | Mar 24 10:15pm

Hi @safari1949
I hope you are doing well. I came across your post while looking for a thread that might help a fellow Mayo Clinic Connects brotherhood member with both stage 4 prostate cancer and Parkinson's. If you are up to sharing your knowledge and experience with him, please reply to me and I'll send you a link to his profile so you can reach out. Either way, I'm sending positive thoughts and best wishes to you.
Bill

rklinke11 | @rklinke11 | Mar 25 8:01am

I have stage 4 prostate cancer, but I do not have Parkinson's. I'm not sure I can offer any help.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 4 5:55pm

In reply to @dailyeffort "Hi @safari1949 I hope you are doing well. I came across your post while looking for..." + (show)

I'm bringing @jcarbone into this discussion too as he has experience with prostate cancer as well as Parkinson's.

jcarbone | @jcarbone | Apr 5 6:29am

Hi,
I'm in the early stages of Parkinson's and after a year and a half still haven't officially been diagnosed. I'm on carbadopa/levodopa. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I was on medication and was doing well.
My prostate cancer was diagnosed in February last year, Gleason 8. Thankfully it hasn't metastasized. I'm on Eligard shots twice a year.
The only connection I can make between the two conditions is that after the Eligard shots my antidepressant and anti anxiety meds quit working which sent me into deep depression and anxiety that I'm still working through with different treatments.
I don't know if this has been helpful.
Reach out to me if you think I can help.
Good luck.

hooman | @hooman | Apr 5 11:12pm

All patients should be referred.
None of intercurrent medical conditions and medications makes PD worse.
Prolonged treatment with HIGH dose corticosteroids causes toxic effects that can be life threatening. Patients should be thoroughly informed of the major side effects of treatment: insomnia, cognitive and personality changes, weight gain with central obesity,skin thinning,bruising,muscle weakness, increased urination, kidney stones,diabetes mellitus,glaucoma,cataracts,sex hormone suppression,infection with candida, what is called opportunistic infections in medicine, hypertension,stroke,lipid disorders heart attack, normal lethal heart rhythm, heart failure stomach ulcers. There is increased risk of above with PROLONGED HIGH dose treatment of corticosteroids.Above are major POSSIBLE side effects of treatment.

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